Guitar

Artist Development Diploma in Music Performance

At a glance:

If you’re a guitarist with solid ability, untapped potential and the ambition to be a fully rounded musician, then the Artist Development Diploma in Music Performance can help turn your passion for music into a career.

Overview

This vocational diploma pathway is available in both two-year and one-year course options. The two-year option is equivalent to three A Levels (Age: 16+), whilst our one-year ‘fast track’ diploma is equivalent to two A Levels (Age: 17+).

These courses are designed to develop aspirant music professionals by focusing in on performance skills, styles, technique, theory, music business, aural perception and career focused goal setting, overall providing a rounded music education that prepares you for further study or your first steps into the music industry.

You will have the opportunity to learn in a creative and contemporary environment where you will develop strong connections with fellow aspiring musicians, songwriters and entrepreneurs, guided by industry professionals that teach to the highest standards and a guest programme of prominent music industry professionals to help steer you towards a life in music.

Successful completion of the course will gain you a nationally recognised RSL level 3 qualification, providing you with a firm stepping stone into Higher Education. The course is designed to develop both the academic and creative qualities found in all music professionals, exposing you to many opportunities to build upon your existing knowledge and skill and shaping you into a high-level performer that controls their own career path.

UK and EU students aged 18 and under are eligible for free funding (subject to academic requirements).

So, what are you waiting for? To make your way as a live music professional, connect with us, and we’ll connect you to a life in music.

Awarded by:

Free to UK & EU students age 18 or under
(subject to academic requirements)

Year 1 Subsidiary Diploma/Fast Track Diploma

Extended Studies is a dynamic and conversational space for general course management. In this session you will discuss up and coming performances, recording sessions, assessment, masterclasses, important course notices, as well as analysing music and your progress utilising reflective practice.

In Pre-Production, you will work within your chosen instrumental discipline in critically analysing, and then learning the week’s chosen BIMM playlist song. You will prepare and perfect your parts in preparation for your Live Performance Workshop where you will perform the track on stage with a full band. Each song on the BIMM LPW playlist has been specifically chosen to explore a wide range of creative, stylistic and technical factors that will give you the grounding and skills to succeed as a professional musician.

LPW is where you get to put your hard work in Pre-Production into practice. You’ll meet up with other musicians from the diploma courses and perform together in front of an audience of our expert tutors and your peers.
The live experience and up to date industry knowledge and feedback you receive here will be invaluable to your development as a live performer.

In Performance Preparation, you will study professional rehearsal and performance techniques in a practical environment. You will look at a wide range of factors that make for a successful rehearsal journey and dynamic performance, such as band forming, rehearsal techniques, promotion, marketing, tour management, stage craft and many more.

A technical and contextual understanding of a wide range of musical styles and genre is key to your success as a creative and professional instrumentalist.
In Session Styles, you will analyse and learn the technical elements of a diverse and wide range of styles that span some of the world’s most influential contemporary musicians and genre. You will then practically apply your new knowledge of these styles in both a live and recording environment.

Good technique is the backbone to professional musicianship. In this class you will look at the fundamentals and rudiments of your chosen instrumental discipline. From paradiddles to modal harmony, Technical Development will push you to becoming the best player and performer you can possibly be.

Ear training is not just about honing your aural perception skills, but also about helping you to understand how you personally engage with sound. This technical and contextual understanding will support your instrumental and vocal development, as well as give you an understanding of your own musical creativity, and how to successfully navigate that as an artist.

In order to achieve both creative and professional goals, today’s modern musician needs a holistic understanding of the world of music. In Music Industry Career Development, you will look at an overview of today’s musical landscape, mapping revenue flow and plotting a bespoke path for you, relevant to your own goals and targets.

This lesson offers students the chance to undertake an investigation critically analysing an area of interest within the music industry. Whilst doing so, you’ll develop your academic study skills that will help you for higher academic studies.

Work based learning is an integral part of vocational study. Over the programme of study you will plan and reflect upon industry work placements relevant to your own learning aims and long-term Music industry aspirations.

Year 2 Extended Diploma

Extended Studies is a dynamic and conversational space for general course management. In this session you will discuss up and coming performances, recording sessions, assessment, masterclasses, important course notices, as well as analysing music and your progress utilising reflective practice.

In Pre-Production, you will work within your chosen instrumental discipline in critically analysing, and then learning the week’s chosen BIMM playlist song. You will prepare and perfect your parts in preparation for your Live Performance Workshop where you will perform the track on stage with a full band. Each song on the BIMM LPW playlist has been specifically chosen to explore a wide range of creative, stylistic and technical factors that will give you the grounding and skills to succeed as a professional musician.

LPW is where you get to put your hard work in Pre-Production into practice. You’ll meet up with other musicians from the diploma courses and perform together in front of an audience of our expert tutors and your peers.
The live experience and up to date industry knowledge and feedback you receive here will be invaluable to your development as a live performer.

You’ll build on the skills you gained in Performance Preparation last year and apply these to a studio recording session. Band, song choice, instruments and recording techniques will all come into play as you learn what it’s like to record in a studio environment.

Good technique is the backbone to professional musicianship. In this class you will look at the fundamentals and rudiments of your chosen instrumental discipline. From paradiddles to modal harmony, Technical Development will push you to becoming the best player and performer you can possibly be.

This lesson offers students the chance to undertake an investigation, critically analysing an area of interest within the music industry. Whilst doing so, you’ll develop your academic skills that will help you for higher academic studies.

This year’s class builds on your existing knowledge from year one, where you’ll continue to explore the music industry and the different roles and functions within it. You’ll also begin working on your own business plan that will help you to forge a path into the music industry.

Music in Context is where you’ll learn about the interaction between music and society. In it you’ll track back through history and study some of the most influential artists and the impacts they’ve had on music, technology, politics and civil rights.

Want to apply?

Minimum requirements

Five GCSEs at a minimum grade of C/4, including English Language and Maths and Grade 4-6 equivalency playing skills.

After this course:

Progression

Graduates can progress directly to employment in the music industry, or can continue their study with a BA (Hons) in Professional Musicianship in Guitar, Bass, Drums or Vocals at BIMM.

Five GCSEs at a minimum grade of C/4, including English Language and Maths and Grade 4-6 equivalency playing skills.

Location:

Falmer Campus

Teaching this course

BIMM Tutors

From launching the career of Oasis and scoring nine Top 40 singles with the band Sleeper, to winning a Mercury Music Prize as part of Gomez and knocking Take That off the top spot, our BIMM Brighton tutors have done it all. One even has the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, as her real life godfather! Imagine what you could achieve with direct access to their knowledge, guidance, experience and enviable industry connections!